Here are the places I've been-
my regular ob/gyn in Dr. Ashford at Bandana Square Aspen.
He's ok- not the most conversational guy but-
he referred me to the RMIA -Reproductive Medicince and Infertiltly Assocates- BIG HUGE MISTAKE TO GO THERE! HATED it= and after all our problems there- for the 2 rounds- we FINALLY got to see the REAL dr- FINALLY- after meeting with him back in Feb- never saw him again until AUGUST! and just laid him- and his place out! how we were treated- how BAD it was there- and then he had the nerve to tell us- that because of my weight (225lbs) that the gonal-f wasn't working- he would only go up to 2 amps with pcos patients- and he already did 2 1/2amps with me- and wouldn't try anymore- he told me to go lose 50 lbs then come back to see him! and they only do the u/s and bloodwork from 7-10am- when I'm already at work by 7am- and they wouldn't be flexible at all- so we are going back to Dr. Ashford on the 15th of August to see what will be next? if anything-
endo- is in West St. Paul (near the school I teach at - Humboldt)
Dr. Gonzalos- ?spelling? I meet with him on the 10th of August- we'll see what they can do for me!
Thanks for the info Jen. I am currently seeing and endo. Dr. Lawrence Mulmed, he's in Mpls. He's okay, but very much the same way as the doctor you saw. It seems the ONLY awnser to him is weight loss. I AM TRYING!!! If it was that simple I wouldn't be having these issues. I guess I just feel a little hopeless about finding a Dr. that will help me, not just lecture me.
I am seeing my internist next week and maybe she'll have some advise or suggestions. If so I will definetly let you know! Again Thank You.
P.S. I live in West St. Paul, maybe I'll check out your Endo.
Sunshine
Good Luck Sunshine-
It's hard to find a GREAT dr in this area-
I see the endo (west st paul-aspen) on the 10th- see if he yells at me- for stopping the met- and keeping the same weight- ARGH- I've tried SO HARD these 2 months- and only have 3 lbs to show for it! SUCKS....
see ob/gyn on the 15th-
we're starting our adoption process- we've narrowed it down to 3 places- Children's home, children's hope and on place in Edina- Can't remember name-
All the doc's in the directory here are either at the Mayo Clinic or in Duluth!!! I think my doctor is wonderful- he is young (late 30's and not bad lookin'!!) and he takes the time to talk to you and doesn't make you feel bad about weight issues. He did a PCOS workup on me(all the tests and ultrasound) and did prescribe glucophage, even though I wasn't totally insulin-resistant. He saved my life when I had an ectopic pregnancy and helped me get pregnant with my first baby and delivered him. He can take you as far as Clomid, and then he has to refer to a R/E if Clomid doesn't work. But as far as a PCOS work-up and initial fertility issues, I would recommend him. He is at OB-GYN Specialists in Edina. If you want his name and number, let me know!!! I also went to a meeting/seminar, and it was given by a Health Partners R/E. My friend went to him, and he's very versed in PCOS, but you have to have Health Partners Insurance.
Your fellow Minnesotan Cyster!!!
__________________ kristi2
angel baby 6/95(ectopic)
2 successful clomid pregnancies
5 yr. old ds and 2 yr. old dd
I will call my friend tomorrow about the Health Partners R/E. I remember his name was Dr. Kopher (sp?) and I believe he was at the Como clinic. My friend went to him after going for years without a diagnosis- he is very knowledgeable, not extremely personable, but she's done great; is all straightened out and lost 70 pounds!! After the seminar (he was talking at a PCOS support group meeting), EVERYONE went up to him to ask him questions-so did I. After explaining my symptoms, he encouraged me to try metformin (my general MD had prescribed it initially, I was afraid to go on it becuz she hadn't done any testing). I tried to make an app't with him, but they wouldn't take my insurance.
I'll get you more info......
__________________ kristi2
angel baby 6/95(ectopic)
2 successful clomid pregnancies
5 yr. old ds and 2 yr. old dd
Thank you everyone for all the info. I unfortunatley do NOT have Health Partners, so am out of luck. I do however see my internist who diagnosed me and maybe she will have some suggestions!
Thanks Again
Sunshine
My friend finally called me back and left a message that Dr. Kopher has moved to the St. Paul Health Partners Clinic. She didn't have his new #, but the old one is 651-641-6200. And he is actually a reproductive endocrinologist.
If you decide to see him, Good Luck!!!
__________________ kristi2
angel baby 6/95(ectopic)
2 successful clomid pregnancies
5 yr. old ds and 2 yr. old dd
Thank you so much Kristi for all of you suggestions. I saw a new endo today and wow, she was the worst doctor I have ever seen in my life. Her name was Dr. Helen Wang and I wouldn't recommend her to my worst enemy. She told me that "it is physically impossible for a woman NOT to have her period". She also told me "well....you just need to join weight watchers". She said "there is nothing women with PCOS can do but join weight watchers and take BC pills".
Ahhhhhhh I feel better now I just needed to get that off my chest. I think I will call Dr. Kopher and see if my insurance is accepted there. Will he see me even if I am not planning on getting or trying to get pregnant right now?
Again thank you so much for your suggestions, it's always nice to know that I am not the only one. Thanks
Sunshine
Boy, if it's physically impossible for a woman to not get her period, maybe I'm not a woman afterall?? Ha, Ha. How did she get her medical degree- I just don't get some of these doc's. You can try Dr. Kopher, but I know they won't take anyone who isn't Health Partners (they've got their own elitist group over there). I tried to make an app't and they wouldn't even take private pay!! I'll also give you the number of my gynocologist, Dr. Shibley (just in case-he's in Edina and Burnsville). He'll do a PCOS workup if you need one. He also put me on metformin and is checking in with me every 3 months. His # is 952-920-2200. He's a very NICE doc.
Good luck!!!
__________________ kristi2
angel baby 6/95(ectopic)
2 successful clomid pregnancies
5 yr. old ds and 2 yr. old dd
I've seen two RE's in the Twin Cities and had success conceiving with each!
The first one I saw was Dr. Donald Pavelka of Pavelka REproductive Associates in Fridley (right next to Unity Hospital). He put me on Clomid and I conceived my DD. When I went back after her birth, however, I didn't feel like he had much interest in managing my case unless I wanted to get pregnant. At times I felt a bit condescended to with him, but his conception success rates are pretty high, from what I understand.
The doctor I am seeing now is Dr. Lisa Erickson from the Center for Reproductive Medicine, right on Chicago Ave across from Abbott Northwestern in Mpls. I love her! She understands that a woman suffers with PCOS whether or not she is trying to conceive at the moment. She prescribed Clomid, referred me to a special doctor to manage my high cholesterol and recommended a nutritionist. She cheered me on through my (small amount of) weight loss and then I conceived naturally with Met only (no Clomid, no nothing!).
Good luck to you!
Cindy
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When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me".
DR. In St. Paul/ MPLS 
THANKS JEN! 
